1 in 3 Kids with Autism Also Have ADHD

Summary: About a third of children who have autism also have symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study. A better understanding of how these two conditions are linked can help improve outcomes for kids with the disorders.

It stands to reason that something that affects the brain causing one developmental disorder can also cause a second development condition — and that's exactly what a new study, published in the journal Autism, has found. According to the findings, almost 30 percent of young children with autism also show signs of ADHD. That's a much higher rate than in the general population, leading experts to suggest that the two disorders may have a genetic overlap.

Previous studies suggested that autism and ADHD may be linked, but those studies looked at children already diagnosed with one of the conditions. Researchers at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland wanted to look at children before they were given a diagnosis of autism or ADHD so there was no selection bias as in the previous studies. They followed 162 children from birth through age eight. Of the 63 children later diagnosed with autism (between ages four and eight), 18 of them (nearly 30 percent) also showed signs of ADHD. Interestingly, all the children who had both disorders were boys (boys have higher rates of autism and ADHD in general).

The kids who had both autism and ADHD had significantly more difficulty in school and socializing with other children than those with only autism. Those with both disorders also showed more severe symptoms of autism (like repetitive behaviors).

What can doctors learn from this study's findings? It could be that autistic children who aren't making progress with autism treatment alone might benefit from being treated for ADHD, say researchers. That's because a child with autism who has difficulty with attention or hyperactivity may need behavioral interventions (or even medications) that help with focus and attention before the other types of treatment can be beneficial.

If you're noticing that attention or hyperactivity problems are interfering with your autistic's child's ability to make progress, speak to your pediatrician. The right diagnosis and treatment could make all the difference.

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Sharon Mazel

Sharon Mazel is a journalist and mom to four girls. She works with Heidi Murkoff on her What To Expect book series and has written for The Washington Post, Parenting Magazine, Baby Talk Magazine, and of course, WhatToExpect.com. Before becoming a mom she was a TV writer and producer at NBC News, FOX News, and WPIX-NY.

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